Summary: We have seen that Jesus is The Way to a better life, even here on earth; but, much more importantly, Jesus is the way to forgiveness for our sins! The purpose of this message is to help us to better understand why we need forgiveness and how Jesus provide

Introduction: We have seen that Jesus is The Way to a better life, even here on earth; but, much more importantly, Jesus is the way to forgiveness for our sins! The purpose of this message is to help us to better understand why we need forgiveness and how Jesus provides the way to forgiveness. It is important, then, that we begin by properly defining sin.

I. THE DEFINITION OF SIN

A. Some misconceptions of sin:

1. Some believe sin is nothing more than a violation of human relationships

2. Some would tell you that an action is only sinful if:

a. It is frowned upon by society

b. It violates their own conscience

c. It is harmful to someone else

3. These misconceptions lead many to misunderstand how the problem of sin can be corrected.

a. Some believe that correcting sin involves nothing more than making things right with other people

b. This kind of thinking makes people think they are forgiven of all past actions by simply changing their behavior.

B. The Biblical definition of sin:

1. The Bible defines at least three different types of sin:

a. Sins of commission - The direct violation of God’s Law - "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness."(I Jn 3:4)

b. Sins of omission - Failure to do what is right - "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins." (Ja 4:17)

c. Violation of one’s own conscience - "the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin." (Ro 14:23)

2. Sin is more than simply a violation of human relationships. Though it often involves that, it is more serious in that it involves God and His Will for us.

3. To understand the seriousness of sin, we only need to understand its consequences:

a. "The wages of sin is death" (Ro 6:23)

b. "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (Re 21:8)

c. Think about this: "All human sin seems so much worse in its consequences than in its intentions."

So, why is sin considered so bad that unforgiven sinners must experience such torment? To understand why, we must fully realize...

II. THE NATURE OF GOD AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN

A. God’s nature:

1. "You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors." (Ps 5:4-6)

- "your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." (Is 59:1-2)

- God is supremely holy. His holiness makes any truce with sin impossible.